Beach in Washtenaw County closed to swimming due to high levels of E. coli

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – A Washtenaw County beach is closed to swimming until further notice due to high levels of E. coli bacteria.

The Washtenaw County Health Department detected high levels of E. coli at Independence Lake Beach, located at Independence Lake County Park in Whitmore Lake, through routine testing.

Swimming is not permitted at the public beach, but health officials said other forms of recreation that do not involve body contact with water, such as fishing, are allowed.

E. coli bacteria are found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Elevated E. coli levels are possible after a storm or strong winds because bacteria are carried in stormwater runoff and stirred up from waves.

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